Nasal syringe



April 22, 1930. R. H, WAPMPLER Er AL 1,755,754

NASAL SYRINGE Filed Dec. 9, 1927 Rezw'd IZ W 10H5 19101,' INVENToRs ByM ATTO NEY Patented-l Apr. v.22, 1.7973

Unirse STA-Tes.

REINHOLD H. wAPPLnn, orYoNKERaAND rn-DERICK Y l new YORK, N. Y.

i tries g f Nasal. simmer:

'Application led December 9, 1927. SerialQNo. .238,81YV

`Our present invention relates'generally to syringes, and has particular reference to a syringenozzle designed for application to the nostrils.

V The proper and regular cleaning of the nasal passages, though generally neglected, is

as a matter of fact perhaps second in impor tance onlyY to the regular cleaning fof the,

oral cavity andthe teeth. The almost uni 1G versal indifference toward a regular procedure of this character may be due to various factors. f i Y Y A syringe or douche of the ordinary character wherein a'nozzle hasa single passage therethrough is extremely unsatisfactory and annoying in use. If the nozzle is applied to a nostril and the head thrown back to permit a small head of water toflow by gravity into the nasal passage, the stream embodies eX- I 2o tremely little kinetic energy and is accordingly very unthorough lin its cleansing effect. Moreover, ifone or vthe'other nasal passageis4 obstructed, the liquid will eithervstop flowing, or' it will leak out past thenozzl'ev and be the cause of much annoyance Without having accomplished any substantial alleviation of Vthe obstruction. v v

If kinetic energy is imparted to a stream of the foregoing character, there is eXtreme 3ov danger of building up a hydraulic pressure within the nasal cavity, particularly if-the passages are obstructed. r`The"advantageous` effects of kinetic energy are in this way counteracted and accompaniedby the very disadvantageous effects of the hydraulic pressurey intol which the kinetic energy has been con# verted. 'Ther possibility of such a pressure causing injury is extremely great, particularly in lviewy of the communication between the 4.0nasal cavities and the ears'and also in view of the factthat the liquid and other matter lwithin the nasal cavity is ofa character which should be driven out rather than further in. vitis `an important object of our-present 45.' invention 'to providefasyringe which is ofy such simple construction and operation as to be usable with great facility at regular daily intervals; to provide a device which permitsv liquid to be forced with considerable kinetic energy into the nasal passages without any above.

possibility of building up hydraulic `pressureV ententes' wAPrLER; or

therein; and to provide a device which is sok Y haphazard Aspilling or leaking ofthe liquid,

and the outerone serving further as a means- V,for maintaining the interior of the nasal cavity under atmospheric pressure.

` More particularly, our invention provides a constructlonwherein an annular space V1s` provided between inner and outer 'concentrically arranged conduits; wherein this' space communicatesat one end with the-atmosphere Vand terminates vat its 'other end ad# jacent to the end'of vthe inner conduit; and wherein this spaceserves as a predetermined passage for the outflowing stream.

It is an important object of our invention t to provide `a' device which is extremely simple in construction, thereby rendering itinexpensive from a manufacturing standpoint an'd hence feasibly availablev for general use. In one embodiment of our invention the nozzle is formed ofa single integral element which is so constructed and, arranged as to be capable of manufacture in large quantities and at small vcost by'means of a turret lathe or the like. In another embodiment, the attenuated vend of an ordinary rubber bulb maybe itself adopted as the inner conduit, and the invention is carried out by the removable applica-v tion thereto of a small lintegral stamping of extreme lightness and simplicity.

ln a preferred embodiment, the device is" formed of two elements, one of which comprises an ordinary strip of hard rubber tub` ing or the like, and 'theot-her ofwhich'comprises an integral solid member which may be `molded or similarly manufactured with greatl ease and at small expense. The last mentioned member is provided with suitable bores, and the tubularV element has its periphery suitably shaped, so that the mere removable association" of these two complementary elements will provide a neat, compact, and etlicient device of the present character.

For the attainment of the foregoing objects and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or A.be pointed out, we have constructed numerous devices embodying our invention and illustrated on the accompanying-drawings'in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a nozzle constructed in accordance with our invention and Y shown attached to a rubber tube or the like;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-section upon an enlarged scale Vtaken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1; ,Y

Figure Sis an end View of the device shown in .Figure 1 Y Figure 4 lisV a 4longitudinal Across-section through amodiiied type of nozzle; Figure 5 is an end view of the nozzle shown Y in Figure i .4

Figure' isasideqview of a further modiwhich may be madeof hard rubber or similar-material. Its outer periphery is stepped Y additional lbore.19extending at an angle to` asshown in Figure 2 toprovide a main porj tion 13,` alportion 14 of slightly reduced outside diameter, and an end portion 15 of further reduced outside diameter. The bore16 `may be of uniformdiameter throughout.

yThe `complementary conduit element 12 is formed of-an integralmolding or the like, such as l.bakelite, hard rubber, or similar material,.and is substantially ovalinshape. It is provided witha longitudinal bore 17 which is,Y of uniform diameter and substantially equal to the Voutsidediameter of the portion 14 of the element 11. Thesteps upon the element A11 are .so constructed and sized, and ,A

the-'complementary.element 12 is of such a length that the portion 14 may be snugly and frictionally fitted into oneend of the bore 17 .as shown /inFigure 2, while the extreme end portion of the element 11 will project slightly from thel opposite end of the `bore 17. An annularspace 18 is thereby provided Varound the attenuated end portion 15 of the element 11. j

The .nozzlefelement 12 is `provided with an the main bore 17 and terminating immediatein-frontof the portion 14 when the two noz-` zle-elements areassociated with-.each other. Y

`When .thedevice isemployed, the syringe nozzle is inserted into a nostril, the element 12 being rounded and shaped so as to lit snugly. The size of the element 12 is such that the application thereof to a nostril will position only the extreme ends of both conduits within the nostril. T he space 18 and the bore 19 will obviously afford a free communication between the interior of the nostril and' the outside atmosphere, and in this way the interior of the nostril is-maintained under-atmospheric pressure. Liquid, such as salt water or the like, may now be forced with considerable force through the inner conduit element 11, and this liquid will emerge from the end of the element 11 in the form of a relatively narrow stream. By virtue of the constantly maintained atmospheric pressure, this stream may be made to embody considerable kineticenergy without the danger vof having this energy transformed into pressure energy., 1f the nasal passage is obstructed, the force of the stream will serve to wear down'and break through the obstruction, just like a stream of water from a hose might wear down a bank of earth against which it is played. The liquid poured into the nasal passages in this manner will find its way out either through the other nostril, if there be no obstruction, or through the predetermined return path provided by the passage 18 and the borev 19. This returning fluid will thereby emerge from the bore 19 in the form of a continuous stream, and since the device is designed to be employed with the outer opening of the bore 19 directed downwardly, this stream of outtlowing liquid may be directed in a sanitary andunannoying manner into a basin or the like. Where desired,

auxiliary flexible conduit may be frictionally attached to the outer end of the bore 19, as by. means of a collar or the like, so as to further guide the outflowing stream of the desired direction. Y

It will be obvious that the deviceillustrated in the foregoing figures is of extremely simple construction. The element .11 may be formed of a strip of hard rubber tubing, the stepped portions thereof being provided upon a lathe or v'the like. VThe complementary element 12 may be manufactured in a single molding operation. Furthermore, it will be noted that the association of the elements 11 and 12 is a separable one, thereby facilitating the cleaning thereof.' 1n the form illustrated, all the bores are of uniform diameter, and in this way there is a total absence of any shoulders or any recesses which would be difficult to maintain in a clean and sanitary condition.

In Figures 4 and 5, we have shown an embodiment of the invention which may be constructed of a single integral element and which lends itself to expeditious manufacture upon a turret lathe or the like. The nozzle illustrated in these figures may be advantageously constructed of nickel or similar metal, and comprises a tube portion 20 constituting the inner conduitelement, anda skirtportion 21 constituting the outer conduit element. The'skirt` portion 2l extends integrally from the forward end of the tube 20 and flares rearwardly in the manner shown. A series of openings 22 are provided through the forward portion of the skirt 21, these openings having theiraXes substantially parallel ,to the device asa whole, and encircling the outer end portion of the.

tube V2O. .From anotheraspect, the integral portions` 23v 4provided 4.between the openings` 22 "constitute connecting `portions which unitefthe inner and outer conduitsand which keep these` conduits .in concentricfrelation-v ship.- The rear endV oftheA tubular element 'may be associated with a rubber tubing..

or the like as in the previously described em-l bodiment. Y Y Y A AThe employment of this device vwill-'hel un yderstood from'what has gone before. 'The space 24'within the skirt 2l maintains-communication, through the opening/5G22, be-

tween the outsideV atmosphere andthe interior of'the nasal-passages. `This vspace serves` alsov as a predetermined path for the outfiowing liquid. The flare'preventsvformation of any 4air pockets and renders the outflow of the liquidA efficient, uniform, and noiseless.

In Figures 6 and 7 ,we haveillustrateda construction which'is 'even simpler thanthe previous constructions, the 'nozzle being yconstituted of the 'forward tapered portion 25 of a bulb 26, togetherv with the 'removablyape plicable cap or-thimble 27. rThe latter may be producedby a simpleV stamping operation ofv relatively-thin. ni'ckelor similar metal.' It

` is shaped substantially like the skirt portion 2l of the previousembodiment, butthe inner ends of the connecting portions 23rare joined 'together and bent rearwardly to constitute a bearing for the frictional` accommodation of the tapered end 25. This bearing is de.-

1 noted by the reference numeral 28, the openings by the reference numeral 29, and the connecting portions between these openings v' by thereference numeral 30.

- eXtreme end 31 ofthe portion 25 projects The portion 25 is preferably tapered for the reason that bulbs of rthis character are readily available on the market, and for the additional reason that the provision of a predeterminedsized bearing 28will provide for uniformly positioning the device upon the end of the conduit25 in the proper manner. The preferred manner of association is shown in the drawings, and it'will be noted that the slightly ahead of the openings 29. This pres vents any possible deiiectionl of the stream` passing through the portion 25 and the nasal passages. l

In the last mentioned embodiment, the chamber or space 32 provided beneath the skirt and around the tapered portion 25 entering serves to maintain atmospheric pressure with.-Y

in the nostril andserves also as the outflowing liquid.4 ,j f

It willthus be seen that we have provided a device which is extremely simple 'not only from the standpoint,ofmanufacture, but also a guide for yfrom the standpoint of use. `No complicated apparatus is required, andkithere can be noV possibility of anylmisuse of the device. rllhe latter is simple in nature,neat in appearance,

and compact, thereby rendering it Vusable for frequent and regular,` use. Its compactness, cheapness, neatness of appearance, and posl sibility of cleaning, cooperate to provide an efficient and valuable bathroom accessory. Y VIt will beV obvious that changes inv the de,-

jtails herein described and illustratedfor the purpose of explaining the nature of our invention .may be made by those skilledin the kart withoutrdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. `Itis thereforeintended that `these details ,be interpreted as illustraadapted to 'engage the inner one in said bore,

the forward end of the tubular element pio- -jecting slightly beyond the forward end of the bored element, the latter having an additional bore communicating at an angle with the rear position ofthe annular space around theinner element, and means for forcing a stream of liquid withL considerable kinetic energy through the inner conduit and out of said forward end.

2.lnfa nasal syringe, a tivo-piece nozzle; comprising concentrically arranged inner and outer conduits, the inner one comprising an .integral tubular element, the outer one comprising an element having a bore of uniform diameter and adapted to engage the inner one in said bore, and the periphery of the inner velement beingstepped so that one portion of said periphery fitssnugly into one portion of said bore while an annularspace is provided about another portion ofsaid periphery.

3. Y Infa nasal syringe, a nozzle comprising concentrically arranged inner and outer con-f duits, the outer one comprising an element having a bore of substantially uniform diameter,the inner one comprising a tubular ele-y menteiigageable said bore, said tubular elev ment havingav main portion of diameter slightly greater than that of said bore, an adjacent portion of diameter substantially equal Y to that of said bore, andg'an endportionfof, diameter-slightly less than that of said bore, whereby the outer elementv may snugly engagel about said adj acentportion and in abutmentl Vlil withsaid main portion and `thereby provide an annular space about said end portion.

4. `In a nasal syringe, farnozzle'comprising concentrically arranged inner and outer conduits, the outerone comprising an element havingabore of substantially uniform diameter, the innerone comprising `a tubular element engageable in said bore,'said tubular ele-V ment having an "end portionV of diameter slightly less'than that of the bore andanadjacent portion ofdiameter substantially equal to thatof the bore, whereby the outer element may snugly engage about said adjacent portion and thereby Vprovide an annular space about said end portion, and said outer element having a second bore communicating with said annular space and terminatingl immediately in front of said adjacent portion.

5.i san article of manufacture, a nozrileY element comprising a solid substantially ovall member having'alongitudinal bore of unieform diameter throughout andhaving an auX- iliary bore vcommunicating with a midportion of the first named bore, said auxiliary bore en! tending from said midportion toward the thicker end of said oval member.

' 6. In a nasal syringe, a nozzle comprising frictionally engageable inner and outer conamount beyond the front end of the outer element, said means comprising complementary abuttablejshoulders on said elements respectively.

8. In la nasal syringe, a nozzle comprising friction'ally engageable inner and outer conduit elements shaped to provide an annular space between them, and means for separably associating saidfelements with one another upon repeated occasions into theV same predetermined positional relationship wherein the inner element projects by a predetermined Aamount beyond the front end of the outer element, said means comprising an `integral shoulder upon the inner element and an abutassociating said elements with one lanother upon repeated loccasions into fthe same predetermined positional relationship wherein the inner lelement projects by a predetermined amount rbeyond the frontend of the outer element, said means: comprising an integral shoulderupon 4the inner element, and

said outer element having an oval shape whereby :the rear 'portion thereof constitutes an `abutment adapted to encounter Ysaid shoulder. w

l0. A nasal syringecomprising a tubular conduit with an attentuatedforward `end, a substantially oval applicator member hav inga .longitudinal bore of uniform diameter throughout and vadapted to fit snugly over the :forward portion of said tubular conduit sothat the forward end .of the latter projects slightly beyond theforward end of the oval member, an annular space being therebyiprovided.l around said forward end, 'said oval member havinganauxiliary bore extending from said annular `space 'diagonally rearwardly g to establish communication Abetween said annular space and lthe atmosphere, a squeezable bulb adapted to contain a liquid, and a Aconduit element connecting the youtlet end of said bulb with the rear end of-said tubular'conduit; whereby said oval member may be applied to a nostril, whereby squeezing'of thebulb will force a stream of liquid with considerable kinetic energy through the tubular conduit and out of its forwardv end, and whereby said annular spaceand auxiliary bore will lprevent-the development of liquid pressure withinthe nostril. y

In ywitness whereof, wel have signed this specilication this 7th dayof December, 1927. REINHOLD H. WAPPLER. FREDERICK CHARLES VAPPLER.

mentsurface on the outer element adapted to encounter said shoulder.

Y 9. In alnasal syringe, a nozzle comprising frictionally engageable inner and outer conduit Y'elements shapedto kprovide an annular Aspace betweenthem, andmeans lfor fseparably 

